Poestenkill Library Policies & Procedures

Library Cards, Fines, & Loan Procedures

A library card is required to borrow and renew material. When applying for a library card please bring identification with your signature and current address. Patrons will be asked to fill out an application with their name, address, phone number, date of birth and NYS driver's license. Children's applications (under age 18) must be signed by a parent or guardian.

A library card is required to borrow and renew materials. There is a reciprocal arrangement among libraries in the Upper Hudson Library System (Albany & Rensselaer Counties) enabling you to return material to the most convenient public library.

The Director of the library may exercise his/her judgment to impose restrictions on the amount of materials borrowed or reserved.

Fines

Poestenkill Library does not generally charge fines on any overdue items that it owns. We will however, charge for an item that is lost or damaged. Other libraries in the Upper Hudson Library System do charge fines.

If you are returning an overdue item that belongs to a library other than Poestenkill (even an interlibrary loan item), a fine will need to be paid. The fine can be paid at Poestenkill for other libraries. If you return an overdue Poestenkill item to another library you may be asked to pay the fine as it is the general policy of all other libraries to collect overdue fines.

Unpaid fines or overdue materials result in a delinquent borrower status. Delinquent borrowers forfeit their borrowing privileges until items are returned and fine are paid.

Loan Periods

Books and other materials in the circulating collection of Poestenkill Library may be borrowed for the loan period appropriate for that item.

An exterior book drop is available on premises at all times. Material placed in the drop will be cleared the next day the library is open. Please do not put videos, audios, or CDs in the book drop as they can be damaged when books drop on top of them.

Borrowers must be at least 18 years of age, accompanied by his/her parent or guardian, or have a signed parental permission slip on file in order to borrow videos, audios, and CDs

Renewals

  1. Most library items may be renewed for one additional loan period. To renew materials present your card at the circulation desk and ask for renewal.
  2. Material may be renewed by telephone. You must supply your library card number to library staff when calling with a telephone renewal. Material will not be renewed by phone if it, or any other material, is overdue or if there are fines on your account.
  3. Material may be renewed online through the catalog at our web site.
  4. Material may not be renewed if it has been reserved by another borrower or if it has exceeded the renewal limit.
  5. Material from other libraries may be renewed at Poestenkill but are subject to the owning library’s renewal policy.

Borrower responsibilities

  1. Identification, including current address, will be required to register for a new card.
  2. The signature of a parent or legal guardian is required for children under the age of 18.
  3. Please report lost or stolen cards.
  4. If a card is lost, stolen or damaged the replacement cost is $1.00.
  5. The library should be informed of any change in name, address, or telephone number as soon as possible.
  6. You are responsible for all materials charged to your library card. Borrowers are responsible for replacement cost of materials that become lost or damaged while out on loan.
  7. Rewind tapes before returning to library. A fifty-cent fine may be imposed for rewinding.

Reserves

You may reserve items that are not on the shelf. This can be done either in the library, by phone, or online through the catalog at our web site.

  1. Any requests for materials will be filled in the order in which they were submitted.
  2. Phone calls will be made to notify patrons that reserved items are available.
  3. Books and materials will be held on the reserve shelf no more than seven (7) days before the request is considered void.

Interlibrary Loan

You may request material that the library does not own. Borrowing policies of items secured from other libraries may vary from Poestenkill Library. Service is usually free.

Approved by Poestenkill Library Board of Trustees on March 25, 2002.